CHAPTER 40: The Escape
"What are we going to do?" I mumble to myself.
How did they find us so quickly? I thought we did pretty well in escaping the paparazzi in Los Angeles. Someone had to have tipped them off.
But who?
"Alright—who did it? Who told them we were here?" Alice accuses the air, folding her arms in front of her chest. Apparently, she's thinking the same thing I am.
"Hey, don't look at me," Jacob replies, approaching us. He takes a peek outside the blinds and flinches back from the flashing lights. "Don't they know what trespassing on private property means?"
Sam picks up the house phone. "I'm calling Charlie."
"No good," I shake my head. "He's in Port Angeles helping with a case." Charlie mentioned he was headed there before we went to Renesmee's house earlier. "Try Roger instead."
After a few minutes on the phone, Sam hangs up and sighs. "Bill said he'll radio Roger who's out on patrol. He can't leave the station since he's the only one there right now."
"Maybe he's close by," says a hopeful Renesmee.
"I bet you five bucks he's at the diner eating pie," Jacob snickers, rolling his eyes.
Renesmee elbows him. "You're not helping," she glowers.
"No, he's right," I agree. "Today's the peach cobbler pie special he likes. If he's at the diner he won't be able to hear the radio in the cruiser."
Forks is a small town. It's not hard knowing people's daily and even weekly routine when they've been doing it for so long. I don't really know of anyone who didn't know Roger's sweet tooth for pie.
"Well, then…what are we going to do?" asks Alice. She looks around the room for suggestions. "I get the feeling he'll be at the diner for a while."
"Ain't that the truth," Paul adds with a grin as Jacob tries to suppress a laugh.
Emily looks at Sam, placing a soft hand on his arm, whispering something in his ear. He looks hesitant at her, then at us, and back to her again. She gives a short nod at her fiancé.
"I'd suggest the back door," Sam begins, "but I'm sure they'll be expecting you to exit that way. A few years ago we built a tunnel, almost like a passageway, underneath the house that leads out to the woods."
"Secret passageway?" Edward asks with a bit of curiously.
"The cottage is pretty isolated in this part of the woods. It's also an area known for landslides during the storm season," Emily answers. "One year it got so bad, we got trapped inside for about a day and half until all the mud and debris dried up. Luckily, the boys came over when the roads cleared and helped us get out. Because of that incident, Sam and the boys dug a passageway under the house that could get us to safety if it were to happen again."
"Well, then, that's perfect!" Alice beams. "Let's take that escape route."
"It's not as easy as pie," Jacob says, questioning her hopeful attitude.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"The tunnel isn't as stable as you might think. More beams still need to be placed down there. There's a chance the thing will cave in on you," Jacob tells me.
"The tunnel is finished," Sam clarifies, "but we ran out of money for more supplies to make sure it's safe enough to walk through until you reach the other side. But, Jake's right. It's not the safest of places to be."
"It's the only chance we've got," I reply firmly. I'd walk through hell fire to get out of here and away from the media. I'm feeling like a rat trapped in a cage.
Edward looks at me with concern. "Bella…"
"We have no other choice, Edward."
"Why not try waiting for Roger? Maybe he'll be done sooner than we think?" Renesmee speaks up quietly.
"But we don't really know that," I shake my head in protest. "Sam, can you show us where the tunnel starts?"
"We should thoroughly think this through," Edward walks over to my side. "We don't know what could happen down there."
"I'd rather take my chances down there than up here. I'm tired of the media! They have no moral compass when it comes to personal space and privacy. Staying in here is exactly what they'll be expecting. What if Roger never gets the radio call? We can be stuck in here until tomorrow when news of us hiding out here spreads like wild fire. The only option we'll have then is walking out the front door and giving them what they want. Well…I'm not giving it to them!"
If I had it my way, I'd beat each and every one of them into a pulp! Aggression inside me is stirring and I don't know why. Maybe I'm tired of the paparazzi always getting their way when our lives aren't any of their business. How would they like it if they were under a microscope day and night? I'm sure they wouldn't like us constantly in their faces either.
"I'm with Bella," Alice finally says something. "We should take matters into our own hands. If we don't try to leave soon, we might not be able to leave at all. Don't forget, our flight back to L.A. is tomorrow afternoon. And I don't mean to sound selfish, but I have a career to get back to! I have clients depending on me."
Alice and I wait for Edward to make a decision. We've already been warned of the dangers below and I know no one will stop the three of us if we decide to take the road less travelled, so to speak. But, honestly, either way—I'm going.
"If anything were to happen to you," Edward caresses my cheek.
"Umm…what about me?" Alice pouts. "Do you not care what happens to your own flesh and blood? And your twin sister, no less…" she mumbles.
"Of course I do, Alice," he rolls his eyes at her. "But, with Bella…" Edward turns his attention back to me.
I know what he's getting at. "Don't worry about me, Edward. I know I'm not the most coordinated person in the world, but I don't think I'd be capable of starting a landslide down there."
"Well, ya'll better start deciding soon," Jacob takes another peek outside the window. "Looks like more of them are here."
Searching my eyes and knowing how adamant I am about leaving this place one way or another, Edward finally agrees. He turns to Sam, "Can you show us the way?"
Sam nods with his eyebrows in a knot. "Follow me." He leads us near the back of the house and removes the rug near a desk cabinet Paul helped him move. Underneath is a trap door. Sam opens the handle and hands Edward a lantern. "You'll need this."
"It's very dark down there so be careful," Emily says.
"Don't expect to come out clean either," Jacob comments. "Hope you're not wearing anything you can't take to the drycleaners."
Alice looks at her shoes and frowns but doesn't say anything.
"Are we ready?" Edward looks at us.
"Yes," we both nod.
"Keep the lantern at an even level—enough for you to see where you're walking and the ceiling above you," instructs Sam. "It's damp and dark down there and you might need to duck in some areas. We started digging first before considering the height of the tunnel."
"It should lead you out toward Silverback Creek, near the base of an old tree. You won't see the end very well since Sam built another wooden trap door to conceal the exit," Emily also tells us.
"We also covered the door with dirt so no one knows it's there, even if they stood on it," Sam adds.
We said our goodbyes and thank you's again, moving down the ladder one by one. Edward went first, then me, then Alice.
Paul and Jared helped Sam shoo the paparazzi off their property. While enough of them were distracted, Jacob would take our rental and speed off before anyone of them could follow. He will park the car somewhere near the creek, hidden from the main road so when we got out of the tunnel, we could drive back to Renesmee's. Jacob would then walk back to the house once his task was done.
Hopefully this was a good enough idea.
"It smells awful down here," Alice pinched her nose shut.
And she was right. It smelled musty and moldy, and barely any air was down here. But still, we have to endure. It's the only way. Edward held my hand the entire way, walking slowly so we can all see where we were walking.
I screamed after seeing what appeared to be rat run by, quickly covering my mouth in case someone from above ground heard me or, worse—if I really did cause a cave in. Alice firmly held onto my arm and tried her best not to scream.
"Can we try to move a little faster?" she asks, pushing me onward, making me almost bump into Edward.
"We have to go slow, Alice," he tells her, sounding annoyed. We don't know what could happen down here if we just start rushing through. Remember Sam says some of the beams are still unstable."
"Stable or unstable, I'll tell you what will happen," she takes the lantern from her brother. "We'll get out of here faster."
"Alice, slow down!" I yell to her, trying to catch up. Edward grumbles in frustration, following after us.
The closer we got to the creek, the muddier our path became. Water is also trickling from the ceiling now like droplets of rain. "We must be close to the exit," says the Hobbit and walks even faster.
The three of us are covered in mud by the time we make it outside and dirt from being underground and digging our way to the surface. The fresh air never felt so good. I wanted to jump into the creek and wash off but we didn't have time for a quick pit stop. We had to find the SUV and leave as soon as possible.
After a few minutes of walking around cautiously, we finally see the rental and jump in before someone spots us. Jacob left the keys in the glove compartment. Luckily, no one saw the car and decided to take it for themselves.
We tried to clean ourselves as best as we could. I'm sure the rental place will have a few questions of the car's interior condition when it's returned but I can't worry about that right now. My concern is getting out of Forks.
I I I
"That was a close one," Alice slumps on the couch in the living room.
Jacob and Renesmee walks into the house just after we finish cleaning ourselves from the little underground adventure we had.
"Hate to break it to you but those paps are outside Nessie's gate," says Jacob. "Roger finally came and drove us back here. Looks like they got tipped off by where your car was headed. He's outside right now trying to make them leave."
"I'm so sorry, Renesmee," I frown. "I didn't mean for you or anyone to get involved with this…fiasco."
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault," she smiles understandingly. "Nothing exciting ever happens around here so…this is kind of a nice change."
"And at least they can't get in here. The place is surrounded by a forest," Alice tries to sound positive, but it sounds more like wishful thinking on her part.
Jacob scoffs. "Yeah…they can't get in and you can't get out."
"Renesmee, is the front gate the only way in and out of your property?" Edward suddenly asks.
She thinks for a moment. "Well, yes…at least the safest, normal way."
"What do you mean?" I give her a curious look. What does she mean by safe and normal?
Jacob grins at my question.
Renesmee glances at him then at us. "There's a small creek behind the house. It's not very deep but you'll have walk carefully though it because of the current. Depending on the rain, the creek's level can rise and fall. I think it's pretty low right now."
Alice raises an eyebrow. "How low are we talking about? Like waist low? Or ankle low?"
Renesmee shrugs. "Maybe…knee high?"
"Walking in the creek isn't the problem," Jacobs says, taking a sip of his root beer he took from the fridge. I'm sure he as another warning in store for us like he did at Emily and Sam's house. "After you pass the creek, there's a small uphill climb and the woods behind the house is thick full of trees. You'll have to know how to maneuver through it to get to a clearing that eventually leads to the road. It's about a thirty minute adventure. Thing is, if you don't know the way, you can get lost. And trust me—walking in a straight line won't help you."
"And how do you know this?" I inquire.
"Because I've done it," he smiles smugly.
"He takes that path sometimes when he visits…to avoid my parents," Renesmee blushes.
"I got lost a couple of times, but I know my way around these wooded parts pretty well. But, if let's say I was the paparazzi…"
"You'd be camping out in woods for days," Alice giggles.
"Exactly."
I turn to Edward who looks deep in thought. Our eyes meet as I give him a pleading look.
"We don't know how long they'll be camped outside Renesmee's property. Technically since they're not inside the gate, they can stay out there for as long as they want. And we can't hide out here forever."
"And even if the police escort us to the airport, they can easily tail us to the ferry and back to Seattle," sighs Alice.
"Jacob, can I speak with you for a moment?" Edward replies, throwing me off. What does he need to talk to Jacob about?
My best friend shrugs, following Edward outside on the deck.
We can see them talking but can't hear the conversation taking place. Jacob is constantly rolling his eyes and shaking his head, but finally agrees on something Edward says, both taking out their cell phones. The two boys walk on either side of the deck to make their calls.
"Who are they calling?" Alice gives Renesmee and I a strange, confused look.
Suddenly, my own phone rings. The thought of Edward the one calling me from outside is a tad weird, but why would he? Looking at the caller ID—it's Charlie. I've never been so relieved and happy to see his name on the screen.
"Dad!" I answer, walking to the far side of the window by the kitchen.
"Bella, are you and your friends okay? Roger called and told me what happened. Why didn't you call me? I would have rushed over to Sam's immediately."
He sounds concerned and slightly upset at my lack of communication.
"I know, sorry. I know you were helping with a case in Port Angeles and I didn't want to bug you in case it was important."
"Bella, you're my only daughter and your safety comes first before anything else," he tells me firmly. "Roger is trying to handle the situation at Renesmee's house until I get there. I should be there in about thirty minutes. Even with my siren on, there's a lot of the traffic from the cars that's just came off the ferry."
"Don't worry, dad…take your time. We're not going anywhere anytime soon," I sigh. We say our goodbyes, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
"They're back," Renesmee calls to me to join them in the family room.
All of us are seated on the L-shape couch, the girls curious on the discussion between the two boys sitting in front of us.
"Jacob and I have come up with a plan," begins Edward.
"It's really your plan…I just helped tweak it," Jake corrects him, which got a roll of the eyes from his girlfriend.
Jacob always has some kind of remark to make that makes me want to smack him upside the head on occasion. Hopefully, Renesmee has taken on that role of putting him in his place.
Edward ignores his comment and continues. "As you said, Bella, we can't hide out here forever. We've inconvenienced Renesmee and your other friends enough, so the sooner we leave the better. It's not my preferred means of travel but Jacob has agreed to guide us through the woods."
"I'll give Sam a pick up point once we're close enough to the road," Jacob speaks in turn. "He's agreed to drop you off at the ferry terminal. You should make the last scheduled ride back to Seattle if we get a move on. It's getting dark, which will make walking in the woods harder. Don't want them seeing us with flashlights until we're far away enough from the house."
Alice shakes her head, confused. "Wait—what?" she sits up perfectly. "We're leaving Forks tonight?"
"Not just Forks, but Washington. I've rebooked our seats for a redeye flight back to L.A.," Edward tells his sister.
"What about our luggage?" she asks wide-eyed. "You don't honestly expect me lug around all my stuff through grass, dirt, and moss do you?"
Her bags probably weigh more than the three of us combined.
"We're going to leave our belongings here. Renesmee…" Edward turns to her, "if it's not too much trouble, we'd appreciate it if you could ship our things back to L.A. for us. I'll give you the address of my agency where you can send them to and my credit card information for the billing."
"Sure, not a problem," she smiles.
"And what about the car rental?" Alice asks, making a good point.
"Me and Nessie will return it for you. There's a drop off in Port Angeles," Jacob answers her question.
"Just bring the essentials with you for the flight—passport, ID, wallet…" Edward instructs us. "Things you can carry in your pocket. The less we have, the faster we can move."
"Do you really think this is going to work?" I have to ask.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds like a great, well thought out plan, but someone has to ask the what if questions.
"It's our only option…unless you don't mind walking out the front door?" Edward replies with a ghost of a smile on his face.
"Off to the woods we go then," I stand, prepared for the unknown.
I only hope we make it to our destination without some sort of paparazzi chase behind us.
Author's Note: Sorry there's not much going on in this chapter. I just kind of wanted them to get out of their sticky situation! Things will start to pick back up in the next chapter. Stay tuned!
Please don't forget to review. :) Thanks!